10 NFL head coaching candidates (Mike Vrabel!) for 2025 as Black Monday looms
charles curtis
·1 min read
Mike Vrabel, shown during the Week 18 game againt the Jaguars, which would turn out to be his last with the Tennessee Titans as head coach.
The end of the 2024 NFL season is here, and while that means playoffs for some, it also means that Black Monday -- the day after the final Sunday of the regular season -- is about to be here.
And that means some head coaches are about to lose their jobs.
That means some big names are going to be up for replacing them -- not Bill Belichick, now. So who are reportedly up for these big jobs? Great question. Here's a look at some of the names being thrown around as replacements:
1. Mike Vrabel
Dec 4, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel argues a call against the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: IMAGN-489390 ORIG FILE ID: 20221204eh_se7_1766.JPG
Nov 28, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson talks with fans on the sidelines during pregame warmups before their game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
The Detroit Lions offensive coordinator is very coveted given what he's done with his current team.
3. Aaron Glenn
Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn shakes hands with running back Sione Vaki (33) during warm up before the Tennessee Titans game at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Another star on the Lions coaching staff who could head elsewhere.
4. Kliff Kingsbury
Sep 29, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
His work as the Washington Commanders offensive coordinator means he could end up back with a head coaching job.
5. Brian Flores
Oct 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores watches from the sidelines against the Los Angeles Rams in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings might end up with another head coaching job after he did well with the Miami Dolphins.
6. Joe Brady
Oct 20, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady on th field before a game against the Tennessee Titans at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
Seems like the Bills offensive coordinator could be a hot candidate.
7. Thomas Brown
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 22: Head coach Thomas Brown of the Chicago Bears looks on before the game against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field on December 22, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
He's done a pretty good job as the interim head coach of the Bears, so maybe that leads to a full-time job somewhere.
8. Pete Carroll
Dec 10, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll (left) shakes hands with San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan (right) after the game at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: IMAGN-710704 ORIG FILE ID: 20231210_szo_yl1_0252.JPG
Sep 8, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) talks with offensive coordinator Liam Coen against the Washington Commanders during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
The Buccaneers offensive coordinator has been thrown around as a candidate.
10. Marcus Freeman
Dec 20, 2024; Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman during the third quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images
“I’ve always wanted to coach in college football and it just never really worked out,” Belichick said. “Had some good years in the NFL, so that was OK.”
This does not necessarily mean no teams were conditionally interested in the second-winningest coach in NFL history. It does mean that North Carolina offered a specific structure the NFL does not.
On today's episode of The College Football Enquirer, Dan Wetzel, Ross Dellenger and SI's Pat Forde do a deep dive into the Rivals transfer portal rankings now that many of the top names are committed. They discuss expectations for top teams like LSU, Auburn, Texas Tech and more now that they've brought in some of the biggest transfers in college football.
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